The head of a U.S. defense contractor supplying fighter jet and missile components has been linked to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence networks, raising concerns about foreign involvement in military manufacturing. Jerry Wang, CEO of S&L Aerospace Metals LLC, has been identified in Chinese government records as an official in groups tied to the CCP’s United Front Work Department (UFWD).
S&L Aerospace produces key components for the U.S. military, including parts used in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, Boeing’s F-15 Eagle, and various missile launch systems. Despite its role in national defense, Wang has attended CCP-sponsored events and has been photographed with top Chinese officials, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Reports indicate that Wang has held leadership roles in UFWD-linked organizations. Chinese state media and government records confirm his involvement in multiple conferences where he was seated with high-ranking CCP officials. Images from a 2019 Beijing event show Wang applauding Xi, while earlier footage from 2006 depicts him presenting a gift to Xi during an official function in New York.
Former U.S. Air Force analyst L.J. Eads described Wang’s presence in the U.S. defense supply chain as a “blatant national security threat.” Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) echoed this concern, warning that individuals with ties to CCP influence networks should not be involved in sensitive military manufacturing.
Adding to the concerns, S&L Aerospace is part of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) council tasked with overseeing critical manufacturing security. While the company denies any foreign influence, it has not addressed why Wang appears in official CCP records as a member of Chinese intelligence-affiliated groups.
The Department of Defense and DHS have yet to respond to inquiries regarding S&L Aerospace’s contracts. As scrutiny over foreign influence in defense supply chains intensifies, pressure is mounting for greater oversight of companies involved in U.S. military production.
